The Friends entered the RHS, Heart of England in Bloom this year without great expectations, as it was the first year that a category for ‘Cemeteries’ under ‘Parks and Open Spaces’ had been included…….and our first foray into this prestigious award.
Today we traveled to the Awards Ceremony in Aldridge and to our great joy we achieved a ‘Silver Gilt’ Certificate !
Excuse the picture quality but I was so excited to post a copy of the certificate and thank everyone concerned. Over the year, our small band of volunteers have worked hard on many aspects within the cemetery to enhance the experience of those that visit- for whatever reason. During the few weeks before the Judges visit everyone pulled out the stops. Our thanks to Quadron for cutting the grass, the ground staff for emptying the bins and the general appearance of the cemetery, community members for helping with weeding , the phantom ‘hedge cutters’, all those who supplied photographs and all those that wished us luck! It paid off………..
These posters were on display at the event and caught our eye, especially as each one was 6′ tall!
We all had such a marvelous welcome with a jazz band and then a choir and everyone was made to feel really special. The awards were followed by a lovely lunch which Julia and I ate sitting in the beautiful churchyard adjacent to event. Thank you all again. Jane Edwards (Chairman- FBEC)
Rachel, our Community Film Maker, is also working with smaller groups of pupils at both schools, as they will be making a short film for us to show the work that everyone has undertaken. The pupils have taken to using the filming equipment like ‘ducks to water’!! 
